What is the general consensus on the plans for their "wind kart" option www.windydaysproducts.com/kart.html

Gizmo it seems that you're a big fan of that post and while yes, they technically are "plans", there are some dimensions, angles and info missing from them that I think a newb would appreciate having. I feel they're open to creative license....but hey, they're free. Some people may just be willing to pay for a complete set of plans with all the work done for them. To each their own. It's hard to tell from the WindKart website just how complete those plans are. I would really like to see more pics of actual WindKarts that have been built using those plans before I paid for them.

My biggest concern is that there's NO mention in that post about the potential danger and side effects of welding galvanized steel. While it's been debunked as being fatal, the potential for "metal fume fever" is still reason enough to at least wear a respirator.

Too complicated IMO. Personally, I'd recommend a Mini Explorer instead (As Gizmo has posted).

would there be any alternative to welding during the building process? (Don't have access to a welder)

Welcome to the forum.

As for the CAD plans, I tend to agree with Gismo that it's someone that is computer literate producing them, than actual bum in yacht sailing experience.

A LLM mini costs me about $600 Aus to build and nearly 2/3rds of that cost is the pulley blocks. Sails and mast from the tip shop at $15 each. "Thanks sn" Fibreglass matting for the seat, and Falshaw wheels.

I haven't actually worked out how long they take to construct as each one I build is different to the last. I've built 23 of them now and still have 11 in my shed. 9 of those ready to sail. (Lots of bent and buckled bits behind my shed where I have pushed the limits too far.)

I worked it out to be $32.50 Aust Dollars. of "new steel" in a Lake Lefroy mini if you, (like me have always used) use a bent stop sign post for ALL my chassis.. 50NB light galvanized water pipe. 2mm or 2.6mm wall. If you don't have access to your local shires scrap heap, then add $8.15 a meter to your chassis costs. This includes the few bolts that are required.

You would be sucking in more poisons from commuting in your family car each year (from the constantly heated plastics in the upholstery and sound proofing) than the fumes from welding a yacht up. Not to mention the exhaust emissions around you.
Anyway if your ingesting welding fumes you defiantly are not doing it right. There is no excuse is in this day and age for that. Also those plans presume that you have access to tube benders "not pipe benders" so an additional cost to sort that out..

A few dimensions missing from the LLM plans

Yeh It's all explained in the front end "rake and trail diagram/photo", the steering head angle isn't really relevant as you can use from 20 to 30 degrees to suit your wheel. The angle only effects wheel layover when turning. So you can use your own setup/wheel diameter and width and get it to work spot on.
The mast step rake angle Again is for you to sort out to suit the rig. sail/mast setup you have on hand so it can be from raked back from 12 degrees up to 0 degrees so the boom will clear your head when the sail is fully sheeted in.

If you have any specific questions regarding these plans, I (or lots of other builders through this forum), would be only too happy to help you out.
We love to see new construction pics on the forum.

Many years ago there was some 'no weld' land yachts on the market... the FreeFlight was an Australian copy of the US Manta, it was made by a Hang glider maker. (no longer around)
It came in a kit form and also a full assembled in single or dual seat versions, they were not cheap.

Many years later a kit form Class5 came out the 'Faze5' came in a box of clamps but no tube as you needed to supply your own Aluminium scaffold tube. It was designed as a class5 but could have been adapted to almost any size yacht, again no welding.

there are a number of successful yachts bult on the seabreeze forum. there are some metal parts to build. do consider though that many of us couldnt eld so we bought the tools and taught ourselves.
couldnt fibreglass, so bought the materials and taught ourselves to fibreglass.
didnt want to buy $1000 sails that are no good so learnt to sew and made our own sails.
could afford to import $500 racing wheels , so by experimentation taught ourselvs to build world class wheels. the great thing about seabreeze is that we are a group of people that teach ourselves and then are happy to share it with others like yourself

Gizmo said..
So EvelOtto from your reply I'm assuming your after plans to 'Hand it to an engineer and say build me one', well the sport isn't like that.
If you do find that sort of defined and exact plans then are they designed by an Engineer? Or is it just a nice drawing done by a computer jockey with a CAD program with little or no experience of how a land yacht actually works?

With defined plans there also is an expectation that they have been certified by a suitably qualified mechanical engineer, if they are how does that engineer take into account the DIY nature of the project. i.e. If the mast step fails who is at fault.... the engineer or the builder or perhaps it was a material failure, if so who specified the material?

Detailed drawing that are open to interpretation are a better way to go for legal reasons.

If there needs to have workshop health and safety instructions throughout any set of plans and how to weld course then your not up to it, try a different project.

Some things like basic workshop practice is ASSUMED!!!!!!

In those links to seabreeze land yacht drawings / plans what dimensions etc have you found to be missing?

Dude. No need to get butt-hurt over my comment...I'm just making simple observations for the people who either choose to follow those plans or go a different route depending on their preference or aptitude. Also, at NO POINT do I personalize my wants/needs/skills in into this post, so you're assuming wrong. This isn't about me, I'm not "after ANY plans"... I know what I want to build, am proficient in AutoCad and have a mechanical engineering degree BUT some people out there may not. I'm just proposing alternatives and you're getting all bent out of shape about it. That should have been made clear when I said, "to each their own" but for some reason you're very adamant that we all use these plans and follow your instructions/recommendations. I respect your knowledge as an established member of this forum but if people want to do something differently then what you consider "ideal", that's their choice. You can choose to either kick in creative input or not....Part of the reason I signed up for this forum is because there's a bunch of great ideas and custom designs that fascinate me and I'm here for THEIR creative input and suggestions.

Lastly, I guess your scope of "basic workshop practice" is much more developed than mine. I don't think that metal fume fever is as widely known by most amateur welders but you obviously feel differently. I say, better safe than sorry and it costs nothing but a simple sentence to warn the potential dangers to welding galvanized metal.

if you don't buy the plans, you'll have the money for a welder

EvelOtto said..
Gizmo it seems that you're a big fan of that post and while yes, they technically are "plans", there are some dimensions, angles and info missing from them that I think a newb would appreciate having. I feel they're open to creative license....but hey, they're free. Some people may just be willing to pay for a complete set of plans with all the work done for them. To each their own. It's hard to tell from the WindKart website just how complete those plans are. I would really like to see more pics of actual WindKarts that have been built using those plans before I paid for them.

My biggest concern is that there's NO mention in that post about the potential danger and side effects of welding galvanized steel. While it's been debunked as being fatal, the potential for "metal fume fever" is still reason enough to at least wear a respirator.

could you do me a favour and make up a list of what you think is missing from the thread , I have access to one of the yachts from the build at the moment and could get our administrator to open the thread for me so i can put in an upfate. i havent read the thread since originally posting it all , so you would be a great help